Symonds and Clarke patch up at cocktail party

Melbourne, Nov 18 (IANS) Andrew Symonds and Michael Clarke chose a cocktail party to patch up and strengthen their strained bond of friendship. Symonds is back in the Australian ranks after he was sensationally sent home from a one-day series in Darwin in September by a leadership group featuring vice-captain Clarke for the infamous “gone fishing” controversy.

The allrounder said earlier this week that his once great friendship with Clarke was “not what it was” after hitting rock bottom during the Bangladesh series.

Clarke said their relationship was as healthy as ever after bonding with Symonds at a promotional party at Brisbane Monday night.

“We had a cocktail party last night which was great. We spent a bit of time together having a chat and at training today we did again,” Clarke was quoted as saying in Sydney Morning Herald.

Clarke said there no awkward moments when they were reunited in the Australian camp in the lead-up to the first Test against New Zealand at Brisbane starting Thursday.

“It’s probably been exactly how it was before he left which has been great for both of us. It is good to have him back,” he said.

Clarke said when the decision to banish Symonds was taken he did not want it to affect their friendship,”

“It certainly wasn’t a personal decision. It didn’t affect my feelings about Symmo. It was just what we thought was in the best interests of the team and Andrew.”